Yeah!

Yeah! Just got word that I've gotten the Writing Grant I applied for. Thank you thank you BC Arts Council.

The Catcher in the Rye

I was so sad to read in the paper this morning that J.D. Salinger has died. For those of you who are saying, "Who?," he was the author of The Catcher in the Rye; one of my all time favorite books. This is one of those classics about not fitting in that is well worth the read.

Celebrate Family Literacy Day

Tomorrow is Family Literacy Day. Celebrate by reading your favourite kid's books with a young person. For tips on family activities or to find out about local events, check out ABC Canada.

The Onion Spoof on Adults who love kids' books

You gotta love The Onion and their spoofs. Here's a link to a video spoof that is priceless.

using literature as a teaching tool

I love it when kids enjoy my books, but as a former teacher, I believe that literature can go above and beyond a good read. Visit my website to see how teachers and parents can use my books to extend learning. And, while your at it, check out this home-school based article that uses Jessie's Island as well as other titles as teaching tools.

Katherine Paterson adds Nation Ambassador for Young People's Lit. to her many accolades

What great news... Katherine Paterson has added the title of National Ambassador for Young People's Literature to her long list of accolades. I have loved so many of her books including: Jacob Have I Loved, Bridge to Terabithia, and The Great Gilly Hopkins and The Master Puppeteer. So for the next two years Paterson will be selling the message that books and reading are life tools that can grow a child's world.

Publisher Weekly has a great article. Check it out.

2009 Kids' Book Bash is bak

The Victoria Kids'Book Bash held at Fairfield Community Place was wonderful. Author Della Burford posted a short video that you can check out on YouTube.

Orca Book Publisher is celebrating 25 years

No excuses for the lack of news aside from "the lack of news".

But I am excited to report that my friends and fellow authors, Andrea and Dave Spalding will be in town on Friday to stay overnight. We'll all get dressed fancy to attend the 25th anniversary of Orca Book Publishers. Should be lots of fun, with their children's book covers on display and a silent auction to support literacy. I do love Orca Books, and told Times Colonist reporter Katherine Dedyna just that in a phone interview. The article won't be out until the second week in November, but hey, you can all celebrate now by going out and reading, or better yet, buying and then reading, one of Orca's titles. With classics and a great new list to choose from, how can you go wrong!

And now I'm off to my pilates class so that I can drink champagne on Friday without any guilt whatsoever about those extra calories.

Later,

S.

Ruby is a Reader

What a crazy busy week.

My new puppy Ruby has settled nicely, and although she is pint-sized, she's claimed my yard as her territory so be warned neighborhood cats! House training is going well with only a few accidents. I do have to watch my computer power cord though, because she finds it most attractive. I confess that I am a little on the tired side given that she hasn't yet figured out that night time is for sleeping and it's probably why I've come down with a cold. But, I'm thrilled to say that Ruby is a reader. Here she is checking out Gordon Korman's Born to Rock, an awesome book about a kid who discovers that his real dad is a rock star.

In non-Ruby news, I managed to get to the Cowichan School District's Young Author Conference all day yesterday and had the opportunity to work with some very fine student writers. This was the first year that grades 10-12 were included in the Conference, and they were so good that they blew me away with at least two of them writing publishable quality poetry. It's so good to connect with young writers of this calibre.

At the other end of the spectrum, I visited kindergarten and grade one classes in Oaklands Elementary School here in Victoria. I just love those kindies! I'm hoping to see a few pet stories come out of that visit!

I also want to congratulate all of the Orca Authors and Illustrators for an awesome book launch held at Bolen's Books. My dear friend Andrea Spalding has the sweetest new board book that you won't want to miss if you or someone you know has a new baby in their life.

A busy week ahead

Spring has finally arrived, and after taking a few days off to get my garden back into shape, I am back to work.

Tomorrow I head to Calgary for their wonderful Young Author's Conference where I'll be working with middle grade students. This is such a super conference, and it serves a huge number of students by bringing in dozens of writers. The organizers and kids are awesome, and I can't wait to get there although I'm really hoping the weather is good since I lack a winter coat. Last year I was not terribly lucky since Calgary was hit with a snow storm which left me stranded for more than 8 hours! I'm optimistic though since that can't possibly happen two years in a row. Or can it? Keep your fingers crossed for me and I'll keep you posted.

I'll be back to Victoria just in time for a visit to Oakland's Elementary School primary students, and hopefully, I'll have a package of pre-conference student writing waiting for me when I get home. I should have just enough time to read the work of grades 10, 11, and 12 students who are participating in the Cowichan Young Author's Conference. It's been a while since I've worked with older high school students and I'm excited about helping these promising young writers take their work to the next level. Talk about hitting all the age groups in a single week!

And to top the week off, I will be bringing my new puppy home from Saltspring Island. Somewhere in there I have to do some fencing. Yikes but life is busy. Better get back to work.

Flat Stanley spends a weekend with a children's author

I spent a lovely weekend with girl friends at French Beach this past weekend, and one of my friends brought along two versions of Flat Stanley that her twin grandchildren had sent to her. The idea is that you take Flat Stanley with you on various adventures and send back pictures which the children can share with their classmates. Hmmm. I think that Flat Stanley has done quite a bit of traveling, but I wonder if he's spent a weekend with a children's writer? Here are a few pictures of Linda and I on the deck of our rental house with the two Flat Stanleys. The sunset is gorgeous, and I can assure you that both Flat Stanleys loved the beautiful view from our balcony. So hello to Adam Seifred of Bertschi School in Seattle and to Ava Seifred of Bush School in Seattle.

Puppy update

Puppy update. I popped over to Saltspring yesterday for a little visit with my cutest ever puppy, Ruby. Can't wait until after the
Calgary Young Author's Conference because that's when I get to bring her home. Yippeeee.

Millstream Elementary Rocks

I spent the day out at Millstream Elementary School and had the most wonderful time. The teachers and students at this tiny little Sooke, BC school are awesome. I had time with every one of the kindergarten to grade 6 classes. They had great questions, and were a superb audience. I can't wait to get the lovely poster the kids welcomed me with, but they will all be signing it before it gets mailed to me.

Poor me

I'm so sad. I've come down with a cold/flu bug and had to miss Susan Juby's workshop. Ah well, at least I had the chance to catch one of them.

Pender Island

Had an fabulous few days on Pender Island with writer friends Andrea and David Spalding. We explored an ancient First Nation village site and midden which was pretty cool. Here I am with my sweetie Lloyd in front of the midden. And here is the view from Andrea and Dave's front window overlooking Mayne Island.









No wonder they are so inspired as writers! I also caught a snap of this piliated woodpecker raiding the bird feeder.

Cutest puppy ever!

Here's a picture of my puppy, the cutest puppy ever! I won't get to bring her home for another month, but I am so excited. Expect another dog story!

Ann Walsh and I attended a Susan Juby workshop

After spending the morning doing a Camino de Santiago de Compostela workshop, I rushed over to pick up fellow author Ann Walsh at her hotel. Then we drove over to the Emily Carr Library where we spent two fantastic hours listening to author Susan Juby talk about writing. It was exhausting, but an interesting take on writing to keep the reader interested. Susan covered voice, character, plot, and dialogue. She is a super teacher and if you get a chance to hear her speak, go for it. If not, you can always read her books or catch an episode of the TV series, Alice, I Think. After the workshop, I drove Ann Walsh back to her hotel (through the snow!) and had glass of wine and a visit with the resident hotel seagull who hangs out on her balcony hoping for a hand-out.

Lunch with Andrea and David Spalding

Had a wonderful visit with fellow authors and friends, Andrea and David Spalding. We brainstormed new novel possibilities while eating lunch and overlooking the Sidney harbour. What fun! After lunch, Andrea and I left David to browse the bookstores while we went off to a new lavender farm. It was wonderful, and the bonus was seeing a one day old duckling.

Who knew Rochelle Strauss was a fan

I received the loveliest email from my daughter who is a sales rep. in the book publishing business in Vancouver. She writes,

"Today I was driving Rochelle Strauss ( author of Tree of Life and One Well) around, and we were chatting and I mentioned that you were my mum. She freaked out, because, it turns out, you are the reason that she started writing books!...she was super-excited, because you're basically her hero."

Most authors don't often get many opportunities to hear that you have influenced someone's life decisions. This totally made my week.

Home for the weekend, and a great read...

So good to be home for a whole weekend. On Monday I'll be visiting Braefoot Elementary School here in Victoria. I'm looking forward to it since I don't often get a lot of time in local schools. No ferries or airplanes to catch...a treat.

I finished the most wonderful book the other day called Graceling by Kristin Cashore. It's an awesome fantasy. For those of you who are Ursula LeGuin fans, I can't recommend it enough. I know more is coming from this fine young author, and I just can't wait for the next installment.